The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence, is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.

ATTRIBUTION:

JOHN STUART MILL,On Liberty, ed. David Spitz, chapter 1, p. 11 (1975). Originally published in 1859.